Many in the Tea Party movement are now feeling that they, essentially, got screwed, because this is far from the revolution the tea party had in mind. Just four short years ago, the movement and its potent mix of anger and populism persuaded thousands of costumed and sign-waving conservatives to protest the ballooning deficit and Barry "Almighty’s" health care law. And it worked to sweep into office what was thought to be a crop of no-compromise lawmakers into Congress and governor's offices and transformed political up-and-comers into household names.
But as many Tea Party stars seek re-election next year, conservative activists are finding themselves at a crossroads. Many of their standard-bearers, and I’m sure many of us can name at least a few, have embraced what are seen as being more ‘moderate’ positions on bedrock issues such as immigration and healthcare. "They keep sticking their finger in the eyes of the guys who got them elected," said Ralph King, a co-founder of the Cleveland Tea Party Patriots. Personally speaking, I will not vote for someone who told me one thing and then chose to do another.
And while some are hoping to rekindle the fire with 2014 primary challenges to wayward Republicans, many more say they plan to sit out high-profile races in some important swing states next year, a move that GOP leaders fear could imperil the re-election prospects of former tea party luminaries, including the governors of Florida and Ohio. Rick Scott, here in Florida, won office by attacking the health law and calling for deep cuts to state spending but has embraced the health law and signed one of the largest budgets in state history.
Similar to Scott, are Republican Govs. John Kasich of Ohio and Rick Snyder of Michigan are battling their GOP-dominated legislatures to expand Medicaid, a big part of the health law. So it would seem that these days the question we need to be asking ourselves, is there anyone that we can trust anymore? In the summer of 2009, tea party supporters took on lawmakers who had voted for the bank bailout and the stimulus package. The movement's voice grew louder after Democrats passed the health care overhaul, and voters took their outrage to the polls in 2010.
But not long after some Tea Party stars took office, political analysts said, they were forced to adapt to a changing landscape, particularly in states that Barry won in 2012, and to the realities of governing. Also is has been said that the Tea Party supposedly fell out of favor with some people. At its height after the 2010 elections, 31 percent of those surveyed considered themselves tea party supporters. A May survey found just 24 percent identified with the movement. Facing sagging approval ratings some Tea Party Republicans have since decided to shift tactics.
So I guess there is a decision to be made as another election looms just over the horizon, and it, most certainly, will not be an easy one. I’ve never been an advocate for a Third Party, but having said that, if the results are going to be the same regardless if the candidate elected has a D or a R after their name, what’s the point in voting for the one with the R? The argument has always been that that would only serve to hand to the Democrats control of Congress for, perhaps, generations. But seriously folks, is there any longer that much of a difference?
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